I just ordered a Tungsten E (without doing enough research, in my opinion), and I’m wondering what sort of cool stuff I can do with it.
I think I can download some freeware, although I’m not sure. I know I can play MP3’s, but I’d love to know how to optimize that.
This is my first PDA, and I’d appreciate any tips.
If anyone knows how to maximize these devices, they probably post here.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Oooh, have fun! I got my pda in December and I’m still learning things about it.
One of the cool things I’ve found is I can use it to control my air conditioner and tv and dvd player. The software came with my pda but I’m pretty sure you could find it freeware.
Hmmm… I use mine primarily to write notes for uni on it, and for my diary. Definitely take advantage of Avantgo if you can. It’s free and whenever you connect to your computer… hell, I can’t explain it, here is the website. It’s great. (Actually, on the subject of Avantgo - has anyone got the dope on theirs? If yes, what settings do you use (e.g. link depth)? I can’t get it to go into threads.)
Ummm… you can also use your pda as a photo album. And if you’ve got an infra-red cable you can use it to transfer files to pretty much any other computer.
Obviously it’s great for a movable diary - put everything in it during the day and then sync it up to your desktop when you get home. And it’s handy having everyone’s addresses and phone numbers with you at all times. It’s also great for just taking little notes - like you would on a scrap of paper.
Oh, and I really like composing an email wherever I feel like it knowing that it will automatically be sent when I sync up when I get home.
I love my pda! Can you tell?!
Oh, and you can get software that shows you the weather, financial stuff, battery remaining on the main screen, which can be handy.
You can buy skins too, to make it look pretty. And you can find games too, to put on. I like bejewelled 2 - very addictive!
It’s limitless really, what you can do, because people are making bucketloads of pda software you can download.
I don’t think yours has wireless, but its really cool. I can watch movies (or whatever) on my pda from bed that are stored on my desktop! And I can sync and surf the net (etc) without cables.
Pretend there’s an extra apostrophe in there, ok?
Palm M500 user here, am addicted to it=)
I have a chip with a translation dictionary [the usual euro languages, german, french, spanish, italian and english] and several more chips that I have saved e-books onto [i have all of the free library and 4 years of books from Baen SF/fantasy, and a whole chip of about 30 books from Project Gutenberg] so when I get stuck in waiting rooms or traffic, or wherever I can read without lugging around lots of books=)
I have glucowatch, to monitor my blood glucose readings [it also tracks it on charts, can port the info over to a computer to get a print out] and it can also be used to note which/how much meds you have taken that day.
I have a small DB program a friend wrote for me to function as a dietary diary, he did it as a class project but there are a number of them out there both shareware and commercial.
I have a couple games, I like sub hunt, minesweeper and solitaire are the ones I prefer=)
I also have the keyboard so I can set it up and type regularly on it if I need to. I can upload my email, read and write replies and then download to my regular computer and send off the replies=) I dont want my PDA to be internet capable, though MrAru was talking at one time of getting me the palm OS PDA/cellphone…but that was running like $500US and way too much cash to outlay just to combine 2 pieces of pocket tchachkes into one unit…
Yes, freeware is available for download.
I highly recommend the following sites:
http://www.freewarepalm.com/ - The most complete listing of FREE software available for Palm OS pdas out ther.
http://www.palmgear.com/ - Has a great listing of free and shareware software. It used to be a real haven for free stuff but now is more commerical. STill some good stuff is to be found there.
http://www.palm247.com/ - A great site for Palm OS news, reveiws, information and software.
Hope this list helps.
Thanks for the tips guys!
I got a Tungsten E in December to replace the crash-o-rama Zire 31, and very happy with it thus far. For MP3 playback, you will need to buy a Secure Digital card (I have this one); there is a standard headphone jack at the top of the Tungsten. The installation/software disk has Real Player on it for the mp3’s, as well as that Alll in one Remote stuff Burnt Sugar mentioned.
Avantgo rocks- mini versions of online magazines and papers downloaded to your PDA - I have 2+ hour bus commute to work and it’s a godsend to be able to read Dan Savage on The Onion on the way home 
I get the CBC, BBC, Guardian, NY Times headlines, etc, etc, good content.
One caveat: the MP3 playback is a battery pig, and it slows down the system so that if you are playing games while listening, not so fast shoot’n.
You can read the SDMB and post while reclining on your couch watching The Master’s. If you have a wireless network in your house.
Maps.
from this site you can download a map reader and some demo maps to play with, I think they have both US and western europe city maps. Very handy if you need to get up to speed on an unfamiliar city, you can search for street names, plan routes, etc.
For reading ebooks I’m a big fan of μbook (here )
Stuff I do with my PDA (Tungsten C):
)I was originally planning to get a laptop computer someday, but now that I’ve gotten so much on my PDA, I don’t see the need…
About those MP3’s, about how many can I store on a (?)mb card, and how long can I play them?
I’m incredibly ignorant about this medium, and have been learning some, but I’m sure there’s quite a bit more to learn.
I’m not too keen on the whole “e-mail, dial-up” thing since I have only webmail and broadband. I am interested in portable web info though. Annie gave we info on The Onion, and I love it! I’m wondering if there are many more.
Essential programs on my Palm Tungsten T3 include:
[ul]
[li]Documents to Go: Lets me create, view, and edit Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files, as well as view jpg’s and bmp’s. I think I’ve had every version of this program since 1.0.[/li][li]Converter: Does all kinds of unit conversions on the fly. [/li][li]DateDiff: Does simple date calculations.[/li][li]Passwords Plus: Stores passwords, account info, etc. in an encrypted, password protected format.[/li][li]Timetables from American, Delta, and United Airlines (available from their respective websites). All three of these are searchable, auto-update from the Airline’s websites, and have the option to copy a flight itinerary directly into the date book. If you do a lot of flying, these are essential.[/li][li]Bejeweled, Bounce Out! Collapse, and Mars Needs Cows!: Addictive games from Astraware. [/li][li]Right Back Up: This is absolutely essential. It makes a complete backup of the entire Palm to an SD card. If you’re travelling and your Palm loses its data (usually due to a crash or loss of power), you can insert the SD card into a blank Palm, and restore to the most recent backup point. [/li][li]The Pilot Zone is essentially TuCows for the Palm OS. Lots of freeware and shareware available here.[/li][/ul]
I also use the Palm Wi-Fi card to check my mail using VersaMail (which was included).
As for MP3 storage, it depends on what rate you’ve ripped your CD’s. I use iTunes to rip my CD’s to MP3’s at “High Quality (160kbps).” I can’t tell the difference between the MP3 and the CD at that rate, although I don’t have the best hearing. As an example, Brian Wilson’s “Smile” is 47 minutes long, and is 54 Mb in size as a 160kbps MP3.
Nice map site, but the ebook site says “There is no Palm Version, and none in the work.” Does it work anyway, or do you use it on another device?
These sites should be put into some sort of database. Great info. Thanks again!
Well, there are heaps of websites devoted to PDAs. I can’t really help you with Palm ones, but some deas for Pocket PCs are:
ipaq HQ
Pocket PC Thoughts
Pocket PC Mag
Geekzone
Oooh, there are heaps more, I’m just sick of linking them! 
Do a google, I’m sure there are heaps for Palms. Geekzone is for all PDAs.
I was looking for an SD card and found this one. 1GB SanDisk for $70!
There were other 1 & 2 GB cards for less, but I’d not heard of the brand names.
Sorry dnooman, should have checked. I use it on a Dell Axim.
No problem.
I’m loving my PDA right now. (no, not like that) I have several AvantGo channels on there, some cool games, a workout tracker, a shopping list organizer. All of this stuff was free too! Once I get my SD card in the mail tomorrow, I can start doing mp3 stuff.
Thanks again for all the tips and links guys, I’ll do my best to reciprocate.
Yeah, they’re great, aren’t they? It’s like lugging my computer around with me only it’s the size of my wallet! Love it.
Oh, Avantgo has a channel where you can download the session times for local cinemas, which I’ve found really handy. I’ve got the Australian version, but no doubt there is one for where you are.